The Marine Biological
Laboratory (MBL) is an international center for research, education,
and training in biology. It’s aspiration is to have a disproportionate
impact on the advancement of the biological sciences towards improving
the human condition. The oldest private marine laboratory in the
Western Hemisphere, the MBL currently supports a year-round staff
of more than 275 scientists and support staff working in such fields
as cell and developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular
evolution, global infectious disease, neurobiology, aquaculture,
and sensory physiology. Each summer, an additional 1400 scientists
and advanced students from around the world come to the MBL to collaborate,
study and conduct research, often using the diverse and abundant
marine organisms found in local waters for their research models.
The laboratory's educational program, which consists of six major
summer courses and approximately one dozen special topics courses
throughout the year, plays a significant role in training the world's
experimental biologists.

The Sea Education
Association (SEA) provides undergraduate students with an opportunity
to participate in an academic study-abroad program called the SEA
Semester. The onshore/at sea program combines intensive research
in the areas of oceanography, maritime studies, and nautical science
with hands-on experience aboard a traditional sailing ship. Piloting,
celestial navigation, and practical seamanship are learned together
with oceanographic sampling techniques and marine laboratory procedures.
Critical thinking, problem-solving, team-building and leadership
skills are emphasized throughout the program.

The Woods Hole Research
Center addresses the great issues of environment through scientific
research and education and through applications of science in public
affairs. The Center maintains continuing research projects in the
tropical forests of Brazil and Central Africa, in the boreal forest
of Siberia - the largest forested region on earth - and in the forests
of our own New England. The Policy Program works in the international
arena to foster agreement on ways to safeguard the health of the
planet. The Education Program involves training the coming leaders
of environmental science in Brazil and Russia and post-doctoral
research by American scholars.

The National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the federal agency with stewardship
responsibility for the living marine resources in the United States.
The Woods Hole branch of NMFS accommodates both the Woods Hole Laboratory
Research Divisions and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Directorate.
The Center provides overall management and direction for the five
laboratories located in the Northeast Region. The Woods Hole Laboratory
conducts research on fisheries resources and on marine mammals and
other protected resources in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. The laboratory
is the world’s oldest facility specifically dedicated to marine
fisheries research and currently houses a public and research aquarium
that is open to visitors year round. It is also home port for two
research vessels, the R/V Albatross IV and R/V Delaware II.

The United States
Geological Survey (USGS) is an independent agency the collects,
monitors, analyzes and provides scientific understanding about natural
resource conditions, issues and problems. Located on WHOI’s
Quissett Campus is the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Geology Team is one of three marine
teams that conduct research within this Program. USGS earth scientists
explore and study many aspects of the underwater areas between shorelines
and the deep ocean, off the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico,
and in parts of the Caribbean and Great Lakes. Research specific
to the Woods Hole team focuses on four general themes: environmental
quality and preservation, natural hazards and public safety, natural
resources and public information. This team also provides several
specialized technologies to assist oceanographic research. The USGS
in Woods Hole works with more than 30 research institutions, agencies,
and universities within the Woods Hole scientific community, the
nation and the world.

Geography & Climate

Geography: The village of Woods Hole in which WHOI is located
is a part of the town of Falmouth, which is located on the southwest
corner of Cape Cod within Barnstable County. Most WHOI employees
live in the town of Falmouth. Maps of Cape Cod and Falmouth/Woods Hole can be found at this website www.capecodtravelguide.com/cape-cod-maps.php. Falmouth is bordered on two sides by large bodies of
water, Buzzards Bay to the west, Vineyard and Nantucket sounds to
the south, and bordered on the north and east by the towns of Bourne,
Sandwich and Mashpee. These communities, including Falmouth, make
up the area known as the Upper Cape.

The town of Falmouth contains eight villages: Falmouth Center,
East Falmouth, West Falmouth, North Falmouth, Hatchville, Teaticket,
Waquoit and Woods Hole. Each village has its own post office and
four have elementary schools. Falmouth is a well developed but rural
coastal town with a winter population of about 31,905. The resort
appeal of the area pushes the summer population to over 93,000.
Falmouth contains about 49 square miles, including 1740 acres of
freshwater ponds and about 1500 acres of sheltered salt water bays
and harbors. Twelve of the town's 68 miles of seashore are sandy
beaches where the mean tidal range is two to four feet.

Like much of Cape Cod, Falmouth owes its geologic character to
glaciers which melted away some 12,000 years ago. They left behind
a backbone of moraine--low-lying hills of glacial debris--running
from Woods Hole to North Falmouth, generally along the route of
the main highway (Route 28). To the south and east, sloping toward
Nantucket Sound, is outwash plain, formed of sand and silt carried
seaward by rivers from the melting glaciers. As it built up, the
outwash plain was furrowed by these rivers into what is now the
series of long, narrow salt ponds along the south shore of the town.
Throughout Cape Cod, the landscape is dotted with small ponds or
"kettle holes"-- depressions caused by isolated blocks of glacial
ice that eventually melted away. The coastline has been changed
since glacial times by rising sea level and the ongoing action of
waves and coastal currents.

Climate: Falmouth's climate is influenced by the temperate
climate of southern New England, made more moderate by the surrounding
ocean which prevents extremes of heat and cold. New England winters
are quite cold (December - March) with daytime temperatures often
dropping below 32ºF (0ºC). Winter and spring snowfalls are often mixed with rain and deep accumulations
are unusual. During cold weather you will hear reports about the
"wind chill factor." The wind chill is the temperature of still
air that would have the same effect on exposed skin as a given combination
of wind speed and air temperature. The lower the air temperature
and the stronger the wind, the lower the wind chill factor. Wind
chill factors below 10ºF (-12º'C) are relatively rare, but they
do occur. To be comfortably dressed in the winter (November to March)
you will need warm outer clothing and boots. Unless you own these
items, it is usually easier and more economical to purchase winter
clothing after you arrive here. For a list of retail stores in the
Falmouth area see the section on shopping.
Good quality used clothing is available at lower prices especially
at exchange shops (operated by churches or hospitals), and used
clothing stores.

In summer the average temperature of both land and sea is
65ºF to 75ºF, and there are usually three to five days of fog each
summer month along the shore. Lightweight clothing is appropriate
for the warm, humid summers. Except for the rare tropical hurricane
in late summer, the most severe storm is the Northeaster which brings
heavy rain and high winds and tides in any season.

Managing Your Money

Banks and Banking Services: It is a good
idea to have a bank draft forwarded from your own country, in
advance if possible, to a local bank in order to cover initial
expenses. Your money would then be payable upon proper identification.
Be sure to bring your passport to the bank and, for wiring funds
(which tends to be expensive), be sure to use your name exactly
as it appears on your passport. If you bring a check with you
and deposit it at a local bank, it can take two to four weeks
to have access to that money.

Falmouth has several banks, but the only local bank
with a branch in Woods Hole is Bank of America. You may wire funds
in U.S. dollars to Bank of America, Woods Hole Branch.

Opening an Account: Most banks offer many
different types of personal account services for checking and
savings. To open any kind of bank account, go to the bank of your
choice and tell the receptionist that you would like to open an
account. You will be directed to a person who can assist you in
deciding what kind of account to open and how to complete the
paperwork. For short-term visitors, a checking account (called
a "current account" in many countries) will be the best kind of
account to open. Most banks will request either your passport or your social security number before you are permitted to open an account. Some banks will require both. For a list of banks in Falmouth see our useful links section.

Automated teller machines (ATM) provide 24 hour
access to your funds. Ask the person at the bank for an explanation
of the service. The Woods Hole branch of Bank of America is open all
year round but with limited winter schedule. An ATM is available
all year round.

If you receive a biweekly or monthly check from
WHOI, you may choose to have WHOI direct deposit the check into
a bank account in your name, saving you a trip to the bank to
deposit the check into your account.

This can be arranged through your department administrator
or Human Resources

Credit Cards: It is very useful to obtain
a major credit card such as Visa or Mastercard before you arrive.
Some employees may obtain a WHOI Corporate VISA Card for business
purposes (information is available through the WHOI Controller's
Office). Many stores honor credit cards and most car rental companies
will only rent a car to you if you have a major credit card. In
order to apply for a major credit card while in the U.S., you
will need a credit history from your home country.

Community Services

Numerous public agencies and private organizations
serve the health and social service needs of Falmouth's citizens.
Neither an inclusive list nor full descriptions of services can
be presented here, but the local newspaper, The Falmouth Enterprise
published on Tuesdays and Fridays, lists counselling services,
support groups, clubs, relief agencies, walk-in clinics, libraries,
places of worship, as well as information on recycling, garbage
collection and hours for the town landfill. The information offered
below is geared for the newcomer to our town who may not be familiar
with public or private services.

Health Care & Medical Expenses

Medical Care and Health Services: There is
no national medical care program or national insurance program
in the United States. This means that medical costs in the U.S
are very high and that they must be paid by the individual incurring
them. Individuals can buy health and accident insurance which
will pay some of their medical expenses. Insurance through your
own country may provide some coverage for you and your family
while in the U.S. This should be considered and clarified before
you encounter a medical emergency in the U.S. You may qualify
to participate in one of WHOI's health insurance programs (see
below).

General Medical Care: It is common for families
in the U.S. to select a doctor or dentist in the community whom
they visit when they need examinations or medical care. You may
wish to ask someone you have met here to recommend a doctor or
dentist, or you may consult the yellow
pages of the telephone directory under "Physicians" or "Dentists",
or you may contact the Falmouth
Hospital (with whom most of the town's physicians are affiliated)
to see which doctors have openings for new patients. Your insurance
provider may also have a list of physicians from which to choose,
as dictated by the terms of their health program. Internists or
family practice physicians are most commonly chosen for the general
medical care of adults, and pediatricians for the care of children.

The
Falmouth Hospital is a private community hospital serving
Falmouth, Mashpee, Bourne and Sandwich. The hospital's medical
staff has almost 150 physicians and surgeons including specialists
in most areas. Patient care is provided by more than 500 nurses
and about 600 other technical and service workers. The hospital's
emergency room, staffed by physicians under private contract,
is used by many residents and vacationers for their primary health
care.

Emergency Care: In case of emergencies, there
is a special number to call, 911, which will bring an ambulance,
firemen, or policemen to your location very quickly. An operator
will ask you to describe the nature of the emergency and state
your location so she can get the necessary help for you.

If you are at work at WHOI, there are several emergency
medical technicians on staff who will come to your aid when a
call is placed to 2911.

Home Care: The Visiting
Nurse Association (VNA) of Upper Cape Cod is a nonprofit health
agency that provides health care to residents of Falmouth, Mashpee,
Bourne, and Sandwich. Its professional staff of more than 60 makes
over 30,000 home visits each year. Referrals to the VNA are made
by family, physicians, hospitals, and other agencies. Services
are provided in accordance with physician's orders.

Pre-Natal, Maternity Care, and Family Planning:
In the U.S. a woman usually goes to a doctor (obstetrician) or
to a clinic for regular check-ups during her pregnancy, and has
the doctor deliver the baby in a hospital. Most health insurance
plans cover such pre-natal care and the medical and hospital costs
associated with delivering a baby. As part of a town-financed
health program, a VNA nurse specializing in maternal and child
care will contact all families of newborn infants to offer support
and guidance. Most new mothers receive at least one or two home
visits from the VNA nurse.

Family planning information (including information
about contraception or birth control) is available through your
family physician or through family planning information centers
listed in the telephone directory's yellow
pages. These centers offer counselling, referral services,
and pregnancy testing.

Health Insurance at WHOI: International arrivals
who are full-time salaried WHOI employees can enroll in WHOI's
medical insurance plan and pay the employee's share of the premium.
Guest Investigators and Guest Students, however, are not WHOI
employees and are generally unable to enroll in the WHOI insurance
plan. Such coverage should be maintained through your current
employer or university.

If you choose to continue your out-of-country medical
coverage, you may have to pay for medical service you receive
in the U.S. at the time of the service and then be reimbursed
by your country's medical service or insurance carrier. You should
check with your national medical service or insurance carrier
regarding their claims procedures before you arrive in the U.S.
in order to protect yourself and family in the event of an illness
or accident in this country. For more information on WHOI medical
coverage, contact your Benefits Specialist in the HR department
or view the benefits
information at the HR site

If you are coming to the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange
Visitor, you will be required to have health insurance for you
and your family. The United States Department of State (DOS),
who administers the Exchange Visitor Program, has set standards
for minimum health coverage. Contact Beth
Andrews for more information.

Selected Patient Information Resources in Asian
Languages (SPIRAL):SPIRAL,
a resource from Tufts University’s Health Sciences Library,
has detailed health information in seven Asian languages, specifically
Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Thai and Vietnamese. It
is a unique multi-language health information site because it
is for both physicians and patients. Segmented by language and
by subject, a user - either a patient, doctor or other caregiver
-- can search for documents in an Asian language on topics such
as asthma, diabetes, nutrition, substance abuse, SARS and HIV/AIDS.
A native speaker of an Asian language would go to the main web
site, select his/her language, and then search for the information
that was needed. Material is also provided in English so that
an English-speaking physician or caregiver can see what patients
are reading.

Religious Organizations

Religion does not play the dominant role in the
United States that it does in some other countries, for example,
in Muslim countries or in countries where Catholicism is the official
religion. There is no official religion or established church
that is supported by the government. The doctrine of "separation
of church and state" is widely respected, and religion is generally
considered a private matter.

Foreign students and scholars who are Christian
or Jewish and who want to join a church or synagogue here can
simply look up appropriate addresses and phone numbers in the
yellow pages
of the telephone directory or refer to the listings
in this Guide. Those representing other faiths may seek out other
foreign nationals who share their beliefs and ask how they go
about practicing their religion in the Cape Cod area.

If you wish to see what happens in an American church
you can simply attend a service or go with an acquaintance who
attends a particular church or synagogue. The Falmouth Enterprise
publishes a directory every Friday of the observances and current
activities of the various religious groups in the greater Falmouth
area.

LISTINGS OF LOCAL
PLACES OF WORSHIP

This is only a brief list; a more complete list
may be found in the Friday edition of the Falmouth Enterprise.

In a summer resort town such as Falmouth, the beaches
are a major part of recreational programs provided for the local
citizens and summer visitors. There are town or WHOI beaches within
walking distance of each campus. The Quissett campus has recreational
facilities at the rear of the Clark Laboratory: a baseball field,
volleyball court, tennis court, and portable basketball hoops.

Some of the town's major outdoor recreation areas
are:

Beebe Woods -- a tract of 400 acres between
the railroad and Sippewissett Rd., dotted with ponds and trails.
A map of the area is available free at Town Hall.

Spectacle Pond Reservation -- a 90-acre tract with
access from Pinecrest Beach Drive; has paths winding through
acres of woodlands, bordering on two ponds.

Wing Pond Reservation -- a 19-acre parcel, reached
by a right-of-way off Rt. 28A across from Chambers Hill Rd.
Trails lead through cranberry bogs and woods, eventually linking
up to Bourne's Farm and to 15 more acres of conservation land
east of Old Silver Beach.

Sea Farms Marsh and Upland -- a 67-acre parcel reached
from Gayle Avenue in East Falmouth; Sea Farms is an excellent
site for birdwatching, situated on the shores of Bourne's
Pond.

Ashumet Holly and Wildlife Sanctuary -- Massachusetts
Audubon Society Sanctuary in Hatchville, has 45 acres with
trails through fields and woods; There are 1,000 holly trees
of 8 species here, rare Franklinia trees that bloom in the
autumn, and over 50 pairs of barn swallows that return to
a barn on the property to breed each summer.

Parks: Falmouth has about 25 parks ranging in size
from very small to the 86-acre Goodwill Park. All the elementary
school grounds have large playground structures and are open
to the public when school is not in session.

Goodwill Park --north of Falmouth village, is located
between Rt. 28 and Gifford St.; it includes Grews Pond with
a seasonal lifeguard at a public beach, picnic facilities,
a playground, hiking trails, and a field for athletic activities.

The Village Green -- at the west end of Main Street
is the site of public gatherings throughout the year, particularly
for holiday celebrations and singing in December.

Lewis Park -- behind the Town Hall, borders Siders
Pond and is used by many people for birdwatching.

George Bigelow Memorial Park -- also known as Marina
Park, on the west side of Falmouth Inner Harbor has a bandshell
used for free weekly concerts in the summer.

Nye Park -- in North Falmouth has tennis courts,
playground facilities, and a baseball field, bordering on
a pond with a picnic area.

Woods Hole Ball Park -- located at the end of Bell
Tower Lane on the far side of Eel Pond; the park has a baseball
field, tennis courts and a handicapped-access ground structure.
The Woods Hole May Festival takes place here yearly on Memorial
Day weekend.

Swift Park -- off Blacksmith Shop Road in West Falmouth,
has tennis courts and a baseball field.

Fonseca Park -- in Waquoit has a baseball field.

Fuller Field -- located near the center of town
behind the Gus Canty Community Center, is a baseball and football
field, used as the High School's home field in the autumn
for football and in the summer by the Falmouth Commodores
of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

For a listing of places of interest on Cape Cod,
Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and the Boston see below. Places of
interest include museums, parks, aquaria, zoos and whale watching.

Museum Passes

Passes to many local and Boston-area museums are
available at the Falmouth Public Library (located off Palmer Ave on Carlson Lane). Most admit
two to four people without charge, but some have a small charge
or 1/2 price admission. It is recommended that you call the library
in advance to make a reservation for the pass(es) you want to
use (457-2555). You will need your WHOI ID card to get
services from the Library.

One of the best sources of local information is the Falmouth
Chamber of Commerce, 548-8500, located on Academy Lane,
off Main Street, Falmouth. They have a variety of information
fliers for local organizations and events. The Falmouth Library
is also, of course, a good source of local information. Especially
check the bulletin boards there

Whale watching is one of the Cape's main tourist attractions.
Check the telephone directory yellow pages under "Whale Watching."
There are several out of Provincetown, but one local one is:
Hyannis Whale
Watcher Cruises, out of Barnstable Harbor: 508-362-6088
or 800-287-0374.

Falmouth
Historical Society has a schedule of events. In addition, Trolley
Tours of Falmouth history occur regularly throughout the summer. 508-548-4857. Brochures
can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce or call for information.

Nickerson
State Park, 3488 Main Street, Brewster, 508-896-3491,
has 2000-acre park with pine forests, fresh water marshes,
8 miles of bike paths. Hiking, swimming, picnicking, fishing,
canoeing, etc. are available. Camping is available with a
reservation.

Cape Cod
Museum of Fine Arts, Route 6A, Dennis Village, 508-385-4477.
Not a lot of art, but fun to visit on a day tour. They also
have art films, which you won't catch anywhere else on the
Cape, at their Reel Art Theater.

There are bike paths all over the Cape; a nice one, Shining
Sea Bike Path, runs from Falmouth to Woods Hole, along
the shore right in front of our Quissett Campus. The Falmouth
Chamber of Commerce has a map for sale that shows all the
Cape bike paths. The Massachusetts
state vacation web site has several maps of Cape Cod bike trails.

Information about other Cape Towns

Each of the Cape towns has a Chamber of Commerce
where information specifically about that town is available. Telephone
numbers are listed in the telephone directory business pages under
the town's name (e.g. Hyannis Chamber of Commerce). For extensive information about towns' facilities and events, see www.capecodusa.com.

Visiting the Islands

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is the island you see across
the Vineyard Sound from the south facing coasts of Woods Hole and Falmouth. It's
a fun way to spend a day! It has several towns; the three main
ones are Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. Ferries to
Martha's Vineyard leave from the Steamship
Authority dock in Woods Hole, 458-3788. Auto ferrying cost varies
with the time of year, advanced
reservations are needed and VERY hard to get. There is also
the Island
Queen, a small ferry (no cars) that leaves from 75 Falmouth
Heights Road in Falmouth, 548-4800. It arrives in Oak
Bluffs.

Tours are available, and bicycles and mopeds
are available to rent on the island as you get off the ferry.
There are interesting events, many lovely beaches, restaurants,
stores, etc. There are small busses than run between the main
towns on a regular schedule in the summer (small fee). The Martha's Vineyard Chamber
of Commerce, 508-693-0085 can give specifics.

Nantucket

Nantucket is another small island, not within
sight from our shores, farther to the southeast. It has only
one town, also named Nantucket, famous for its historical sites
from whaling days. Ferries to Nantucket leave from the Steamship
Authority dock in Hyannis, 771-4000 www.islandferry.com. Auto ferrying cost
varies with the time of year, advanced
reservations are needed and VERY hard to get.

Tours are available as you get off the ferry,
and bicycles and mopeds are available to rent on the island.
There are interesting events, lovely beaches, restaurants, stores,
etc. It's a fun way to spend a day! The Nantucket Island Chamber
of Commerce, 508-228-1700 can give specifics.

Transportation

Woods Hole/Falmouth is accessible by bus and car
with major connections through Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence,
Rhode Island. The Peter Pan
Bus Line services Woods Hole and Falmouth from downtown Boston
and Boston's Logan International Airport, and from Providence's
T. F. Green Airport. Bus schedules are available at the Woods
Hole Steamship Authority terminal and at the bus depot in
Falmouth as well as by calling the bus company at 1-888-751-8800.
The Plymouth & Brockton street railway company offers connections between Boston and Provincetown via the Sagamore bridge. Local public transportation is limited. For around town, taxi
cab service is available. Summer shuttles operate between the
end of June and early September. One of these is the Breeze,
which travels between Hyannis and Woods Hole (via Falmouth). Between
towns on Cape Cod there is a limited bus service on SeaLine
Transit.

In warmer weather, a bicycle is a feasible means
of transport for getting around Falmouth and Woods
Hole. The International Committee owns a limited number of bicycles which can be loaned
to new employees on a short-term basis until they secure a more
permanent form of transportation (call your international committee
member to request a bicycle loan).

Cars--Owning and Operating, Getting a Driver's
License

The following information regarding regulations,
fees and procedures may have changed since written. For up-to-date
information, please visit the Massachusetts
Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) web site.

Massachusetts Driver's License

A valid driver's license is required to drive a car
in the United States. The International Convention on Road Traffic
of 1949 allows for individuals on nonimmigrant visas, whose
home countries are signatories of the convention, to drive for
up to one year from their date of first entry with a driver's
license which has been issued by their home country. Call the
Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston at 617-351-9000 to find
out if your home country is a signatory of the convention. After
one year from first entry, all nonimmigrant visa holders are
required to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license in order
to drive legally in Massachusetts. When you buy a car, you must
get a Massachusetts driver's license. Please note that a driver's
license is widely used as a form of identification for writing
checks, entering bars, etc., and may be convenient to have.
If your driver's license is not in English, a translation should
be attached. It is also recommended that you have an international
driver's license.

A Massachusetts license can be obtained by passing
written and road examinations at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles is located in Falmouth
at 80 Davis Straits. You should bring your identification with
you when you go to the Registry (passport, birth certificate
or other ID). Drivers manuals, used to study for the written
exam, are available at the Registry. For more information regarding
how to obtain a Massachussetts drivers licence, and the associated
fees, refer to the RMV
web site. If you have a driver's license from another state
in the United States, you must convert it to a Massachusetts
license after one year of residence in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Identification Cards

It is also possible to obtain an identification card
similar to a driver's license, but not valid for driving. To
obtain this plastic identification card, take your passport
or birth certificate to the Registry of Motor Vehicles AND two
other forms of identification, such as your WHOI ID card, checkbook,
cancelled check, bank book, credit card with photo on it, credit
card receipt, cancelled rent check, or phone bill. The Registry
also recommends bringing either mortgage or lease papers to
prove Massachusetts residency. You must complete an application. There is a fee. The Registry of Motor Vehicles will
take your picture and issue you a Massachusetts Identification
Card. THIS IS NOT A DRIVER'S LICENSE. For more information call
the Registry at 800-858-3926 or search their web site: http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/.

Buying a Car

Owning a car in Massachusetts is expensive. Often,
car-related expenses far exceed the price you actually pay for
the car. When you buy a car, you will have to purchase car insurance,
register your car with the State of Massachusetts and have your
car inspected. Before buying a used car you should have a mechanic
examine the car. Massachusetts does not have a "Buyer's Right
to Return Law" which allows the buyer of a used car to return
it for a full refund under certain conditions. A useful web
site when searching for a used car is: http://www.edmunds.com.

When you find a car you want to buy, be sure
the car has a "title" (certificate of ownership). When you purchase
the car, the previous owner must sign the title and give it
to you in order to legally transfer ownership of the car over
to you. The next step is to purchase auto insurance. Look in
the yellow pages of the telephone book under "Insurance". A
variety of factors can affect the annual price of car insurance
such as the age of your car, how many years you have been driving,
your place of residence, and the type of coverage requested. You should take
the title of the car and your driver's license to one of the
automobile insurance agencies to purchase your insurance. Often,
for a small additional fee, the insurance agent will also register
your car and get the license plates for you.

If you choose to register the car by yourself,
you must do so by the end of that month in which you purchased
car insurance. You must bring proof of car insurance, the bill
of sale, proof of payment of sales tax and the certification
of ownership (the "title") to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. You may also have to pay for a Massachusetts license plate and Massachusetts sales tax
if you have not already paid it (about 5%) on the price you
paid for the car or the "NADA" trade-in value of your vehicle
(whichever is greater).

Finally, you must have your car inspected within
seven days of registering it. Certain garages can inspect your
car for the required safety features. The insurance agent can
give you a list of garages which will inspect your car. There is a fee.

Remember, many of the expenses in purchasing
a car will be annual expenses. Each year, you will have to insure
your car, have your car inspected, and pay "excise tax" on the
value of your car. The town in which you keep your car will
notify you of the amount of excise tax you owe each year.

Renting a Car

Instead of buying a car, you may prefer to rent a
car. You can look in the yellow pages of the telephone book
under "Automobile Renting and Leasing". There are several locations
in the Falmouth area. You will need a driver's license and a
major credit car. Prices vary between companies. Some companies
have a daily fee and other companies have both a daily fee and
an additional charge for each mile driven. Always check insurance charges prior to renting a car.

Transporting Children:

Seatbelts are required by Massachusetts law, and
children under the age of 5 must be secured in a car by an approved
child car-seat. The Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan (available through
WHOI) provides car seats at reduced costs to its subscribers.
The Visiting Nurse Association may have infant and toddler car
seats available for short-term use; and such car seats can often
be purchased inexpensively at yard sales or borrowed from other
families whose children have grown. After a child turns 5 years
of age (or weighs over 40 lbs.), he or she must be secured by
a standard car seat belt.

WHOI Shuttle Bus:

A shuttle
bus operates at no charge between the two WHOI campuses (the
Village campus and the Quissett campus which are 2 miles apart)
on Monday-Friday 3 times per hour (between 7:40 a.m. and 5:30
p.m.). The shuttle leaves Clark lab at the Quissett campus at
10 minutes after the hour, on the half hour, and at 10 minutes
before the hour (e.g., 9:50, 10:10, 10:30); the shuttle leaves
the Village from the Dyer's Dock/Water Street parking lot opposite
the Redfield building on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour,
and 20 minutes before the hour (e.g., 10:00, 10:20, 10:40).

Police & Law Inforcement

Local Police: Police have different roles
in different countries. The main role of the Falmouth Police Department
is to perform certain social services for Falmouth residents.
Also, a common police activity is giving parking tickets to people
who have parked their cars in illegal places or have parked "overtime"
in metered parking places. Police also expect residents to ask
their help with such matters as lost or stolen property, noisy
neighbors, and "suspicious activity" they witness in their neighborhoods.

However, the main responsibility of police officers
is to enforce Falmouth ordinances (local laws). Some of the ordinances
that are most strictly enforced involve liquor and driving.

The local police do not work for the U.S. government
or any of its branches (such as the Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) or Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)).
They do not spy or investigate for the U.S. government or any
foreign government.

If a person is convicted of violating a law, that
person's name and the nature of the violation will be recorded
in the police department. This is called a police record. A person
will have a police record for committing minor violations as well
as criminal violations. A person's police record can be made available
to certain government authorities if they request it.

A copy of the ordinances and laws that govern Falmouth
residents is available at the Falmouth Public Library.

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies: The federal
agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws is the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). No other agency
shares responsibility for acting in cases where aliens might have
violated the terms of their immigration status. Federal regulation
requires non-immigrants to answer any questions asked of them
by USCIS officers, no matter what the subject.

Another federal agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), has responsibilities that may sometimes lead to the questioning
of foreign students and scholars. Foreign students and scholars
are not required to answer any questions from the FBI unless the
agent has obtained a court order (called a subpoena) mandating
a reply. If an FBI agent wants to ask you questions and does not
have a subpoena, you may refuse. Doing so will not affect your
immigration status. If you are contacted by the FBI and are uncertain
how to respond, consult your advisor, sponsor or the WHOI Human
Resources Office for assistance.

Holidays in the United States: State & National Holidays

The following table lists most U.S. holidays including legal holidays
(when State and U.S. government offices as well as schools are closed)
and business holidays (when many businesses except some drugstores,
service stations, and food stores) are closed. Some holidays on
the list are not celebrated throughout the United States and not
all are celebrated by everyone. Some holidays are only for members
of certain religions; others are for particular groups, such as
lovers or children.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution policy instructs that those
observed holidays falling on Saturdays will be celebrated on the
preceding Friday and those falling on Sunday will be celebrated
on the following Monday.

Holiday

Date

Significance

WHOI Observance

New Years Day

January 1

Celebration of New Year's Day usually occurs the
night before, on "New Year's Eve", when it is common
for groups of people to have a party to celebrate the coming
of the new year.

A day for lovers to exchange cards and/or gifts.School
children usually exchange "valentine cards" with their
classmates.

No

George Washington's Birthday

February 22 or nearest Monday

Commemorates the birthday of the first President
of the United States.

See President's Day

President's Day

3rd Monday in February

Commemorates Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's
birthdays.

Yes. A legal Holiday

Ash Wednesday

Date varies

Marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent,
a period of penitence and fasting in some Christian denominations.

No

St. Patrick's Day

March 17

A day dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland.Highly
celebrated in the Boston area because of strong Irish heritage.
Many people wear something green on this day.

No

Easter Sunday

Date Varies: March or April

Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
For children, baskets of candy and dyed, hard-boiled eggs are
hidden by a mythical "Easter Rabbit" or "Easter
Bunny".

No

Patriot's Day

3rd Monday in April

Commemoration of the battles of Lexington and
Concord against the British in 1775.

No. A legal holiday in Massachusetts and Maine.

Mother's Day

2nd Sunday in May

Gifts, cards, and/or special attention are given
to mothers and grandmothers.

No

Memorial Day

May 30 or nearest Monday

When homage is paid to U.S. soldiers
who have died in wars.

Yes. A legal and business holiday

Father's Day

3rd Sunday in June

Gifts, cards, and/or special attention
are given to fathers and grandfathers.

No

Independence Day

July 4

Celebration of the signing of the U.S. Declaration
of Independence from Great Britain. There are usually parades
and fireworks in many communities.

Yes. A legal and business holiday

Labor Day

1st Monday in September

Commemoration of the importance of labor and labor
organizations.

Yes. A legal and business holiday

Rosh Hahanah and Yom Kippur

Dates Vary: September or October

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur
the Jewish Day of Atonement

No

Columbus Day

2nd Monday in October

Commemorates the landing of Italian explorer Christopher
Columbus on the shores of North America.

No

Halloween

October 31

A children's holiday, associated with pumpkins,
witches, cats and ghosts for decorations. Children often go
to parties in costumes or go "trick or treating"."Trick
or treating" means putting on a costume and going door-to-door
in a neighborhood saying "trick or treat", and being
given a piece of candy or fruit by the occupant of the house
or apartment. Young children should be accompanied by an adult
when trick or treating.

No

Election Day

1st Tueday in November

Although not a legal or business holiday, people
may leave work briefly to vote in municipal, county, state,
and/or national elections.

Yes. Employees may leave work briefly in order
to vote

Veteran's Day

November 11

Honors veterans of armed service.

Yes. A legal holiday

Thanksgiving Day

4th Thursday in November

A harvest celebration commemorating harvest-time
festivities in the original American colonies. Traditionally,
families and friends gather to have a large meal that includes
turkey and pumpkin pie.

Yes. A legal and business holiday

Hanukkah

Date Varies: Late November/Early December

An eight-day Jewish holiday marking the rededication
of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

No

Christmas

December 25

Began as a Christian celebration of the birth
of Jesus but is now a widely celebrated day of feasting and
gift-giving."Santa Claus", a mythical figure, is said
to visit the homes of children on the night of December 24 and
leave gifts for them while they sleep.

Yes. A legal and business holiday

(Adapted in part from Wernick, A., 1992.The International Student
Handbook. A Legal Guide to Studying, Working and Living in the United
States. American Immigration Law Foundation.)

Shopping

Food: Falmouth has three large grocery stores
which carry all types of food products, including produce, meats,
bakery items. We have a few small bakeries and produce stores,
but generally, most people use the all-inclusive markets. These
markets are Stop and Shop on Jones Road, Shaws in the Falmouth
Mall, and Windfall Market on Scranton Avenue.

Clothing: A large
mall with many clothing, shoe, and other types of stores is located
in Hyannis, about 22 miles away. Two smaller malls are located
in Falmouth and Mashpee (Mashpee Commons), a neighboring town.
For clothing size conversions: